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Curated by Project Syndicate

Toxic Social Media

16 commentaries

Evidence that Russia has used social media to spread fake news is emerging in Britain and Europe, in addition to the United States. Writers for Project Syndicate explore the origins and scope of the threat to democratic countries, and examine possible remedies.

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  1. The Pandora’s Box of the Digital Age
    South Korea missile Getty Images

    The Pandora’s Box of the Digital Age

    Nov 16, 2017 Carl Bildt says cyber weapons are the nukes of the digital age, except that the old rational rules no longer apply.

  2. Facing the Four Structural Threats to US Democracy
    US election Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

    Facing the Four Structural Threats to US Democracy

    Nov 10, 2017 Laura Tyson & Lenny Mendonca show how political dysfunction in Washington, DC, can be bypassed through state and local action.

  3. How Americans Became Vulnerable to Russian Disinformation
    Two students encourage others to join 'Democracy and Citizenship Club' Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

    How Americans Became Vulnerable to Russian Disinformation

    Nov 7, 2017 Kent Harrington says the Kremlin’s interference in the 2016 US presidential election was symptomatic of bigger problems.

  4. Freeing Africa’s Internet
     Clients surf the internet in Congo Federico Scoppa/Getty Images

    Freeing Africa’s Internet

    Nov 6, 2017 Kizito Byenkya & Alex Humphrey highlight the proliferation of government efforts to control speech online – and how repression can be resisted.

  5. Big Tech Meets Big Government
    Facebook, Google and Twitter executives testify before congress Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

    Big Tech Meets Big Government

    Nov 2, 2017 Mohamed A. El-Erian warns tech firms that if they don't recognize their systemic importance, they may face a powerful backlash.

  6. Fake News and Biased News
    Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe answers questions during a short press interview Kazuhiro Nogi/Getty Images

    Fake News and Biased News

    Oct 31, 2017 Koichi Hamada condemns media in Japan and elsewhere that use their final cut to manipulate rather than to inform.

  1. jin26_Feng KaihuaXinhua via Getty Images_chinaarabinvestment Feng Kaihua/Xinhua via Getty Images

    China Is Better Prepared Than America for a Divorce

    Keyu Jin shows how the country has been reorienting and even expanding its global economic footprint.
  2. jackowski1_Ricardo ArduengoGettyImages_florida_hurricane_destruction Ricardo Arduengo/Getty Images

    Digital Financial Inclusion Strengthens Climate Resilience

    Ellen Jackowski calls for reducing the number of unbanked people and building digital infrastructure in vulnerable communities.
  3. ito43_HandoutGettyImages_yoon_suk_yeol_impeachment Handout/Getty Images

    The High Cost of South Korea’s Short-Lived Martial Law

    Takatoshi Ito

    Even as South Korea was plunged into political turmoil following the president’s short-lived declaration of martial law, financial markets have remained calm. But the country still has months of political uncertainty ahead, leaving it in a weak position to respond to US policy changes when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

    argues that while markets shrugged off the recent turmoil, the episode could have long-lasting consequences.
  4. castaneda91_AndalouGettyImages_mexico_immigration_enforcement Andalou/Getty Images

    Did Mexico Help Trump Get Elected?

    Jorge G. Castañeda speculates that former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador used migration flows to influence the US election.
  5. chatoux1_Dilok KlaisatapornGetty Images_carbonremoval Dilok Klaisataporn/Getty Images

    How the EU Can Scale Up Carbon Removal

    Ludovic Chatoux & Sophia Escheu urge European policymakers to use regulation to increase investment in this crucial green technology.
  6. bildt130_Andrew Caballero-ReynoldsGettyImages_syria_pedersen_un Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images

    The Way Forward in Syria

    Carl Bildt urges all parties involved to support the political roadmap that the United Nations adopted in 2015.
  7. alvarado1_Marcos PinGettyImages_ecuador_crime_scene Marcos Pin/Getty Images

    Crime Is Punishing Latin America’s Economies

    Nathalie Alvarado & Ana María Ibáñez explain how the problem acts as a tax on development – one that the region can no longer afford to pay.
  8. palacio164_GREG BAKERAFP via Getty Images_xichinesedream Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images

    China’s New Social Contract

    Ana Palacio highlights a fundamental shift in priorities brought about by slowing growth and changing public expectations.
  9. haass175_Citizens of the PlanetGettyImages_oil_rig_solar_panels

    The Energy Transition That Couldn’t

    Richard Haass & Carolyn Kissane

    Dominant intellectual frameworks persist until their limitations in describing reality become undeniable, paving the way for a new paradigm. The idea that the world can and will replace fossil fuels with renewables has reached that point.

    argue that replacing fossil fuels with renewables is an idea that has exhausted its utility.

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